SB 108 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO VESSELS.

Summary

Requires the Department of Transportation to work with relevant stakeholders to conduct a study of noise regulations and best practices as they apply to other ports in similar locations. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 9, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB108 → SB108_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was transformed from a law authorizing the Department of Transportation to immediately create noise rules into a study bill. Instead of granting immediate regulatory power, the new version requires the department to research best practices and consult with stakeholders before proposing any future legislation. The effective date was also pushed back significantly to July 1, 2050.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from immediate regulatory authority to a research and reporting mandate with no current enforcement or rule-making power.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the immediate authority for the Department of Transportation to adopt rules limiting vessel noise.

Added a requirement for the Department of Transportation to conduct a study and work with stakeholders to identify noise regulations and best practices.

Added a requirement to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the legislature by the start of the 2026 regular session.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date from immediate approval to July 1, 2050.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to CPN/WAM.

upper

Feb 11, 2025

Committee

Reported from TCA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 252) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to CPN/WAM.

upper

Feb 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on TCA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in TCA were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Elefante, Kanuha, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Inouye.

upper

Feb 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on TCA has scheduled a public hearing on 02-06-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 16, 2025

Committee

Referred to TCA, CPN/WAM.

upper

Jan 15, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 9, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors